Tanel Plate shoes - I've never been so disappointed

[Dukat]

Sounds like you cant beat the customer service

Get a bad pair of shoes, meet with the president of the company to figure out what is wrong.

[Bluefoot]

When you go, you should wear your 'mudders' in to his office.

[Little Jimmy]

Dakota,

I bought the exact same shoes about a month ago. I find them extremely comfortable except for the same toe pinch your talking about. I tried jamming a wedge in one shoe (only one had that problem) and I expanded the metal toe plate just enough to feel good. I know I shouldn't have to do that but I did and now their fine.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by Little Jimmy

Dakota,

I bought the exact same shoes about a month ago. I find them extremely comfortable except for the same toe pinch your talking about. I tried jamming a wedge in one shoe (only one had that problem) and I expanded the metal toe plate just enough to feel good. I know I shouldn't have to do that but I did and now their fine.

Thanks for this. I'll have another testimonial to show the President so it won't be just me with the problem. Your fix might give them a hint on how to check for it / deal with it in manufacturing.

[BretMan]

I, too, have used the Tanel 360 plate shoe for almost two years (approximately 150 games) and have not experienced the problem you describe, Tom.

They have been comfortable, provided good traction and mobility and, very importantly, have taken about a dozen foul balls- and one large catcher stepping on my foot with metal spikes!- with absolutely no injury to my feet.

The only conclusion I can draw is that you, Tom, must have abnormally large and horribly mishappen toes!

I can completely understand the problem you are describing. I have experienced it myself in steel-toed industrial safety shoes that I must wear from time-to-time at work.

Some pairs have been torture in the area you describe. Others, like the ones I have now, are as comfortable as any shoe I own. I believe that the difference is one of sizing. My recent pair was personally fitted by a shoe vendor that visits our plant once a year.

The only concern I do have with the Tanels is, ironically, in the same area you describe- the bending area directly in back of the toe-box where the ball of your foot hinges.

The leather seems to be breaking down a bit in this area which sees a lot of stress. I'm wondering how many more games are left in these shoes before I order the next pair!

[gdc25]

Although I've never worn the plate shoe I have as a player worn the mid-high rubber cleats for several years and just recently started wearing the base shoe as a slow pitch umpire.

I absolutely love these shoes so much that I advertise for them on my website.


However, although they say you no longer have to do this. I recommend ordering at least 1/2 size larger than you normally wear.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Obviously, special shoes are needed for the plate work.

However, once you get away from the plate, I cannot find a better, more comfortable shoe than New Balance.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by Bluefoot

When you go, you should wear your 'mudders' in to his office.

With mud on them??

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by Dukat

Sounds like you cant beat the customer service

Get a bad pair of shoes, meet with the president of the company to figure out what is wrong.

Yes, I was impressed. He responded to my email within an hour of my sending it to their generic customer service email address.